Chickweed benefits for dogs

It’s about time we talked about chickweed
for dogs. Also known as Stellaria media,
chickweed is an annual flowering plant in the carnation family. Native to
Europe, chickweed can also be found in parts of North America and has several
applications for humans and animals.

Chickweed is commonly found in gardens and
fields. It grows as ground cover and is an annual plant known for its slender
stems. It features oval leaves and hair on just one side of the stem, with
small white flowers. Stellaria media
is an edible plant and many people use it as part of a salad. There are also
folk medicine remedies associated with chickweed.

In the case of our four-legged friends, chickweed for
dogs provides some interesting applications. To start with, chickweed
contains amounts of calcium, ascorbic acid, beta carotene, flavonoids,
potassium, niacin, magnesium, and zinc among other goodies. This concentration
of medicinal and herbal properties makes it a versatile and safe option for
dogs.

What are the health benefits of chickweed?

Therapeutic Uses of chickweed’s for dogs

Chickweed for dogs has several potential
applications because of its high concentration of health properties. It can be
used to treat anything from constipation to itchiness and it can be made into
everything from a tea to a salve.

Quick relief for Hot Spots & Skin Irritation: Chickweed has calming properties that make it an effective remedy
for burns and skin irritations. A poultice using
chickweed can help soothe your dog’s skin and deliver quick relief for hot
spots. The poultice can be made by chopping fresh chickweed and applying it
directly to the problem area. You can also wrap the chickweed in clean gauze if
that is your preference. The chickweed poultice can be made using the leaves,
flowers and stems. Due to the cooling properties of this herb, it makes an
excellent alternative to calendula in the summer.

Chickweed Tea: Chickweed can be used
internally as a remedy for gastrointestinal irritation. This is best done using
a tea, which can be made using one tablespoon of the dried herb OR two
tablespoons of the fresh herb along with one cup of boiling water. The tea
should sit for 10 minutes before use and can be provided in half-cup doses two
to four times daily. Large doses of chickweed can have a laxative effect, so
keep this in mind before administering it to your pet.

Chickweed Tincture: Chickweed can be
used as a
rejuvenator of sorts for the skin. It has internal applications as a demulcent
and can be used externally as an emollient, as we’ve discussed. It can also be
used as an astringent and can draw out things like splinters. Use a little
fresh juice from the stems on a swab or put together a diluted tincture and
you’ll love the results. Because of its nutritional properties, chickweed will
also help heal the wound.

Chickweed helps in water retention: Chickweed
can also be used as a diuretic. It can restock your dog with a pile of
nutrients, as detailed above, and flushes out water weight from stowed
deposits. If your pet struggles with water retention, this is one herb you’ll
want to include in your toolkit. The tea is a great fix here, as it can be
digested well and has a good flavor.

Preventative Measures

In rare cases, chickweed can cause
allergic reactions. For this reason, it’s important to try a small amount
externally before applying a full poultice. Chickweed contains saponins, which
can lead to upset stomachs in some dogs. Chickweed can be taken in moderation
to circumvent the large quantities commonly associated with more noteworthy
stomach issues.

Overuse of chickweed can also have a
laxative effect in dogs. Using a small amount should determine whether such
results will occur. It’s usually a good rule of thumb to exercise caution when
utilizing all herbal treatments and the case of chickweed is no different.

Reasons to Use Chickweed for dogs

Chickweed’s applications are considerable
and its use as an edible herb makes it a desirable product on several levels.
Because it tastes good and packs so many nutrients, using this plant is easy.
It can be used internally and externally and treats everything from skin burns
to digestive maladies.

We recommend chickweed for dogs as a diuretic and as a treatment
for skin problems. It’s also useful for soothing the gastrointestinal
system, plus its cooling properties are renowned. It’s a comparatively safe
herb to use and has nominal side effects, but some dogs may present allergic
reactions in rare cases.

References:Herbs for Pets by M.L. Wulff-Tilford
and G.L. Tilford, Natural Remedies for Dogs and Cats by CJ Puotinen

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